A CBeebies star will launch storybooks written and produced following a collaboration between artists and South Tyneside schoolchildren next week.

Popular TV presenter Chris Jarvis will launch seven books produced in a Cultural Spring project in which five borough schools worked with five artists to produce books based on stories created by children and their families.

The books, which have been professionally designed and printed, will be unveiled at an event at The Word next Thursday, November 8, hosted by Chris, who presents the long-running Show Me Show Me programme on Cbeebies.

The children and families of those involved in producing the books will be at the event.

The project started before the summer holidays when the Cultural Spring linked the schools and artists and set them the challenge of producing the books.

Michael Barrass, Project Co-ordinator for the Cultural Spring, said: “The schools involved decided who they wanted to interview and individual school panels then chose an artist to work with. Each artist then met children and their parents or grandparents to develop stories and narratives. The stories were then developed over several weeks and then the artists created artwork to accompany the stories, while at the same time helping the pupils to create their own artwork.”

Once the stories and images were completed, they were passed to design, creative and digital agency The Works, based in Chester-le-Street.

The agency designed the books and oversaw their publication – and they were so taken by the project they also sponsored their printing.

The Works managing partner Barry Pollock said: “We were asked to design the books early in the summer, and were so impressed by the work of the schools and artists, that we
Said we’d be happy to sponsor the project.

"As a creative business this was something that resonated with us and a brilliant way to engage the children and their families in a fun and creative way.”

The project has also been supported by South Tyneside Council and The Customs House.

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